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[Big Azza]

I'm afraid to say that my support for Hamilton is starting to slip more and more, and I would like to see some friendly banter to stop me from going astray.

In the Monaco thread we were talking about luck, because quite clearly Vettel did get lucky on Sunday. But during my great big wrap about how Vettel is so good, and friendly banter with Peng - I reminded myself that Hamilton also got quite lucky in Brazil '08 and theoretically the title should have been Massa's. If that had happened, would Hamilton be a World Champion today? Asking that question to myself - I started quaking inside. I starting thinking. I started doubting.

He is a fantastic driver, has a good driving style, and a good attitude when driving. He can usually overtake - however this year is drawing a few similarities to 2007. But is he really a Championship winning driver? Will he ever win a championship again? What is good is that he always seems to find himself in the mix, but with Vettel soon to successfully get his 2nd WDC, when will see Hamilton get his?

In Singapore 09 I remember the commentators watching Vettel and Hamilton duel with each other right at the front, and saying "Here is the future of F1 racing - we will see these two battling each other for many years to come." Earlier this year Hamilton called Alonso his "Prost." But in 5 or 10 years time, do you think we will be seeing a breathtaking rivalry between Vettel and Hamilton similar to Senna and Prost?

Hamilton is going to keep getting under more and more pressure to keep his head cool. He is really becoming a crash kid. But as we saw last year. Crash Kids crash because they are hungry. And often their determination will pay off and they could very well win the Championship.

What do you think of Hamilton's future, particularly when it comes to winning championships and his future rivalries? [Please play nicely ]

[Besson]

sshh!...you can't question Hamilton on these forums friend!

thread closed in 3...2...1...bam!

[sennasational]

During his first year in F1 he scored equal points as Alonso in the same car as him as the number 2 driver for the team. Regardless of the circumstances thats an impressive feat and since then he has only improved. I very much doubt Hamilton has won his last championship, he is certainly in the top 3 drivers on the grid.

Does this really need a discussion or are you just looking for trouble?..

[Hammer278]

I'm afraid to say that my support for Hamilton is starting to slip more and more, and I would like to see some friendly banter to stop me from going astray.

In the Monaco thread we were talking about luck, because quite clearly Vettel did get lucky on Sunday. But during my great big wrap about how Vettel is so good, and friendly banter with Peng - I reminded myself that Hamilton also got quite lucky in Brazil '08 and theoretically the title should have been Massa's. If that had happened, would Hamilton be a World Champion today? Asking that question to myself - I started quaking inside. I starting thinking. I started doubting.

Wow. I thought this slipup is only made by those people who aren't really F1 fans and simply watched the Brazilian race to see a Brazilian win....

You do know that Hamilton was very nearly UNLUCKY to not win it right? He was easily on course for 5th place, Glock made the gamble with Toyota to stick with the WRONG tyres....and very nearly finished ahead of Hamilton but it wasn't to be. Is this hard to grasp? Seriously, F1 regulars shouldn't be having a problem understanding this?

He is a fantastic driver, has a good driving style, and a good attitude when driving. He can usually overtake - however this year is drawing a few similarities to 2007. But is he really a Championship winning driver? Will he ever win a championship again? What is good is that he always seems to find himself in the mix, but with Vettel soon to successfully get his 2nd WDC, when will see Hamilton get his?

When he has a car capable of challenging, simple as. He won the WDC in 2008. 2009 was a Brawn washover. 2010 we all know how close he was. This is 2011. Everyone acknowledges the RB has been class of the field for the past 2 1/2 years. Whats with the doubt?

In Singapore 09 I remember the commentators watching Vettel and Hamilton duel with each other right at the front, and saying "Here is the future of F1 racing - we will see these two battling each other for many years to come." Earlier this year Hamilton called Alonso his "Prost." But in 5 or 10 years time, do you think we will be seeing a breathtaking rivalry between Vettel and Hamilton similar to Senna and Prost?

Definitely.

Hamilton is going to keep getting under more and more pressure to keep his head cool. He is really becoming a crash kid. But as we saw last year. Crash Kids crash because they are hungry. And often their determination will pay off and they could very well win the Championship.

What do you think of Hamilton's future, particularly when it comes to winning championships and his future rivalries? [Please play nicely ]

Id think he has a great chance to match/beat Sebastian in the long run. Just as you see Sebastian proving himself on so many grounds, I've seen Lewis do the same, and more. No doubt whatsoever that he'd beat Sebastian in equal machinery. I'd love for that to happen one day (Seb to McLaren...not other way around) just to smash the myth of Seb actually being more naturally talented...

[What's Burning?]

The prevailing thought by those who dislike Hamilton is that his fans say he's the next best thing since sliced bread. The prevailing thought amongst those who enjoy the F1 spectacle is that he's exciting to watch. Then there are those who think he is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Social experiment, see if this thread isn't closed... if people give their opinion (like people haven't given their opinion on Hamilton already) and move on is that it shouldn't need locking.

My opinion is that having the unquestionable best car on the grid gives you a hell of a lot of cool calm and collected confidence, because you *know* you've got the best car on the grid. Perhaps the frustration (unprofessional in my opinion) Hamilton is feeling that he's not in the best car on the grid or even in a very competitive car is what we see manifesting itself. I think you're hitting the nail on the head... Hamilton always seems to find a way to remain relevant even when he's not sitting in the best car. 07, 08, 10, and this year he's as relevant as you can be going up against a Red Bull. So that's why people talk about him, that's why he's making the money he's making and that's why he's often the center of media attention. In the words of Oscar Wilde, the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.

Remove Vettel from the picture and you've got McLaren leading the WDC with Red Bull second. So Vettel obviously is bringing quite a lot to the table, he may be as good as everyone says he is, and it's clear that this year he's grown in leaps and bounds in his confidence... see what I wrote before about *knowing* you've got the best car on the grid. So I do hope that in the years to come we do see Ferrari and McLaren and even Mercedes come to the level of Red Bull so we've got epic battles every GP, but the Value an Alonso and a Hamilton and a Vettel now bring to their teams is the reason why they negotiate the salaries they're getting. No one is going to pay that kind of cash if they're not absolutely sure they're getting their money's worth. I'm sure if McLaren were to answer this question they would tell you that no, Hamilton is not over rated, and yes he'll get another WDC.

Let's see how long this thread goes without turning into partisan attacks. I'm such an optimist.

[darwin dali]

Optimism is almost as good a principle as hope

[myownalias]

I'm not a fan of Hamilton but I also not a hater either. I feel that Hamilton is getting increasingly frustrated by Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel's dominance in the first six races of the season. He is making many moves that is simply not on and ends in a crash. He is clearly a talented driver but he seems to lack maturity in his driving especially when stuck in the pack, taking unacceptable risks rather than biding his time and living for another day. I believe that Hamilton will become increasingly frustrated by his lack of winning which will ultimately cost him another world title unless he has a more superior car than everyone else. This is why I believe Hamilton is not a great driver, good driver, yes but not great; I believe he is trying too hard to be his idol Ayrton Senna!

[darwin dali]

You might be onto somtin' there, green jacket

[Big Azza]

I'm not saying that Hamilton is poor or good. Or am I saying he is both? Is that neutrality? DD help?

I also had a second motive in a running a social experiment like What's Burning stated. But that social experiment is to see if we can have a level-headed discussion with level-headed opinions like myownalias did.

But I'm imploring for you guys to convince me one way or the other.

It was like we saw Hamilton's split-personality in Monaco. I think I'm the only one on record here to say that he forced Massa into that mistake in the tunnel, by getting alongside him and then overtaking him. That is the best overtake I have seen in my life. But we also saw where it went horribly wrong. We can see that he is absolutely determined to win another title.

However, I used to rate him as the best driver there. That was last year in fact. But this year I've noticed that Button is also finishing strongly as well. While he isn't ballsy, he appears to have a level head. If Mclaren had the best car on the grid, and they were constantly locking out the front row, who would win? Button or Hamilton? I'm not sure anymore. I'm starting to appreciate Button's approach to racing, more than Hamilton's. Yet quite clearly hoping for the front two cars' wheels to fall off in Monaco is not a good approach. However, it is level-headed in that he would prefer to finish 2nd or 3rd than not at all.

Meanwhile, Alonso is quite clearly driving very well, to be in contention almost every race, and yet have a car that only appears to be good enough to languish around in the midfield.

Do you notice I'm always stating something good, and then have a "but" or a "however" to counteract that good with something the opposite? I can't form an opinion. I need your help!

[texasmr2]

STATE your opinion 'Big Azza' who gives a rat's arse how it is percieved, lame duck's and all .

[carmonwebber]

Probably the driver I'd rate the highest out there atm on an even playing field. I thought his drive in Monaco was slightly 'out-of-character' (more anger driven), but from my gathering since his first season, i rate him highly.

Will he win another WDC? If the gap between RB and the other top teams remain the same and LH doesn't go to RB, then probably not - though I hope like hell that he manages to still do so in a 'slower' car. That'll really show Vettel up.

[CarBore]

I don't doubt that he is a talented driver. As long as he stays in a top team he will most likely get another championship. Personally I don't hold him high above others though.

No doubt car plays a huge role in getting a championship and Vettel has it easy that way at the moment. While you can say Vettel has a great car the last 3 years, I would say in Hamilton's best years he had a great car too, although probably not as dominant as the RB6/7.

Vettel's critics will point to him having a great car all the time but remember Hamilton in early 2009 or even 2011. His car isn't the best and I think the struggle from having a dog in 2009 through having to really fight 2010 and being on the back foot in 2011 is getting to him a little. Monaco shows that state of mind.

Personally I think he was better earlier in his career, where you'd think having taken a title and the extra experience would make you more level headed.

I know this isn't a thread about Vettel be as the current guy to beat thats the easiest comparison to make.

In short, probably will get another title, on the whole a great driver but recently something is missing.

[sennasational]

I'm not a fan of Hamilton but I also not a hater either. I feel that Hamilton is getting increasingly frustrated by Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel's dominance in the first six races of the season. He is making many moves that is simply not on and ends in a crash. He is clearly a talented driver but he seems to lack maturity in his driving especially when stuck in the pack, taking unacceptable risks rather than biding his time and living for another day. I believe that Hamilton will become increasingly frustrated by his lack of winning which will ultimately cost him another world title unless he has a more superior car than everyone else. This is why I believe Hamilton is not a great driver, good driver, yes but not great; I believe he is trying too hard to be his idol Ayrton Senna!

Based on his performance at Monaco? A track where overtaking is impossible and it's impossible for Hamilton to not try and overtake, it was very much a case of unstoppable force meets an immovable object.

His 'recklessness' is exactly why he is currently sitting in 2nd place whilst Button is straggling. As Ayrton Senna once said; 'if you no longer go for a gap that exists, you are no longer a racing driver because we are competing, competing to win'. Sitting back and biding his time is just not in his nature and that in itself is his greatest strength and weakness. He is an out and out racer and thats what makes him the most exciting driver to watch. If more drivers took a leaf from Senna's book I don't think i'd be disappointed.

[billindenver]

I'm not a fan of Hamilton but I also not a hater either. I feel that Hamilton is getting increasingly frustrated by Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel's dominance in the first six races of the season. He is making many moves that is simply not on and ends in a crash. He is clearly a talented driver but he seems to lack maturity in his driving especially when stuck in the pack, taking unacceptable risks rather than biding his time and living for another day. I believe that Hamilton will become increasingly frustrated by his lack of winning which will ultimately cost him another world title unless he has a more superior car than everyone else. This is why I believe Hamilton is not a great driver, good driver, yes but not great; I believe he is trying too hard to be his idol Ayrton Senna!

I was all warmed up to write my opinion in this thread....but then I read the above. It's perfect, so I'll simply say..... my thoughts exactly.

[darwin dali]

I'm not a fan of Hamilton but I also not a hater either. I feel that Hamilton is getting increasingly frustrated by Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel's dominance in the first six races of the season. He is making many moves that is simply not on and ends in a crash. He is clearly a talented driver but he seems to lack maturity in his driving especially when stuck in the pack, taking unacceptable risks rather than biding his time and living for another day. I believe that Hamilton will become increasingly frustrated by his lack of winning which will ultimately cost him another world title unless he has a more superior car than everyone else. This is why I believe Hamilton is not a great driver, good driver, yes but not great; I believe he is trying too hard to be his idol Ayrton Senna!

I was all warmed up to write my opinion in this thread....but then I read the above. It's perfect, so I'll simply say..... my thoughts exactly.

Or as they say in German: Friede, Freude, Eierkuchen!
Translates to peace, joy, omelette (don't ask).